logo
'We're disappointed in the outcome': NASA shares photo of sideways Intuitive Machines moon lander, which died 12 hours after touchdown

'We're disappointed in the outcome': NASA shares photo of sideways Intuitive Machines moon lander, which died 12 hours after touchdown

Yahoo08-03-2025

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
The second moon landing attempt by Houston-based Intuitive Machines has ended just as the company's first did — with the lander dead after tipping over on its side inside a lunar crater, a new image confirms.
According to NASA, which hired Intuitive Machines to carry several scientific instruments to the moon as part of its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, the lander prematurely suspended operations on Friday (March 7) when its battery depleted just 12 hours after the fumbled landing.
Before shutting down, the lander's various instruments managed to transmit about 250 megabytes of data to NASA, including a telltale photo showing two of the spacecraft's legs jutting upward, a half-lit Earth hovering majestically in the distance.
Related: Blue Ghost spacecraft captures rare, stunning views of Earth eclipsing the moon
It is not yet clear what went wrong for the IM-2 mission and the Athena lander, which officially touched down on the moon's near-side at 12:30 p.m. EST on Thursday (March 6) and ended operations at 1:15 a.m. on Friday. NASA noted that the spacecraft also landed more than 1,300 feet (400 meters) from its intended landing site near the moon's south pole.
"While we're disappointed in the outcome of the IM-2 mission, we remain committed to supporting our commercial vendors as they navigate the very difficult task of landing and operating on the Moon," Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for Exploration in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., said in a statement.
This was the second lunar landing attempt for Intuitive Machines in as many years. The company completed its first landing on Feb. 22, 2024, when the Odysseus spacecraft touched down, becoming the first U.S. spacecraft to reach the lunar surface since Apollo 17 in 1972.
RELATED STORIES
—'Everything has changed since Apollo': Why landing on the moon is still incredibly difficult in 2024
—Space photo of the week: 55 years ago, the 'world's loneliest man' snapped this iconic Apollo 11 image
—Pale Blue Dot: The iconic Valentine's Day photo of Earth turns 35 today — and you're probably in it
However, during its descent Odysseus' landing lasers malfunctioned, causing the spacecraft to temporarily lose the guidance needed to estimate landing distances. One of Odysseus' legs snapped on the lunar surface, and the spacecraft fell on its side, limiting some of its functions. The spacecraft fell silent one week after landing, shutting down power before the frigid lunar night set in.
NASA has committed to working with Intuitive Machines on two more lunar deliveries, with its IM-3 mission scheduled for 2026, and IM-4 slotted for 2027.
The landing attempt comes just days after a successful touchdown by rival space company, Firefly Aerospace. The company's Blue Ghost spacecraft aced its landing on Sunday (March 2), sending home an image of the lander's perfectly-upright shadow cast onto the lunar surface. Blue Ghost, also part of the CLPS initiative, has 10 NASA instruments in its lander that will operate on the moon's surface for about 14 Earth days (one lunar day).

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NeuroSigma Announces Notice of Allowance for Patent Protecting Monarch eTNS System in China
NeuroSigma Announces Notice of Allowance for Patent Protecting Monarch eTNS System in China

Yahoo

time43 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

NeuroSigma Announces Notice of Allowance for Patent Protecting Monarch eTNS System in China

LOS ANGELES, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeuroSigma, Inc., a Los Angeles-based bioelectronics company commercializing the Monarch external Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) device for treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), today announced a notice of allowance in China for a patent protecting the Monarch eTNS System. The patent, titled Pulse Generator for Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation, protects certain embodiments of NeuroSigma's core eTNS technology, including its second-generation Monarch device. The patent was allowed by China's National Intellectual Property Administration on May 27, 2025. In 2022, NeuroSigma licensed rights to the Monarch eTNS System for treating ADHD in China to Ignis Therapeutics, a leader in the development of novel therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) conditions. 'As NeuroSigma continues to grow and work with our partners at Ignis, China will be a critical market for the Monarch eTNS System,' said Colin Kealey, M.D., President and CEO of NeuroSigma. 'This patent protects our second-generation Monarch device in China and significantly strengthens the company's intellectual property position.' "NeuroSigma's Monarch eTNS System is a highly innovative and effective therapy for ADHD,' added Tom Paschall, Director of NeuroSigma and CEO of Checkmate Capital. 'China is one of the largest and most important markets in the world for new CNS therapies. With this patent award, the Monarch device will benefit from robust intellectual property protection, which, we believe, will facilitate commercialization in this key market.' About NeuroSigma NeuroSigma is a Los Angeles, California-based bioelectronic medical device company developing technologies to transform medical practice and patients' lives. The company's lead product is the Monarch eTNS System, which is the first non-drug treatment for pediatric ADHD cleared by the FDA. Pipeline indications for the Monarch eTNS System include neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and epilepsy. NeuroSigma has received Breakthrough Device Designation for the Monarch eTNS System from the FDA in drug-resistant epilepsy. For more information about NeuroSigma, please visit For more information on the Monarch eTNS System, please visit Contact:Colin Kealey, M.D., President of NeuroSigma at CKealey@

Mission Launches Fuel Rocket Lab's Rally: Should You Buy the Stock Now?
Mission Launches Fuel Rocket Lab's Rally: Should You Buy the Stock Now?

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Mission Launches Fuel Rocket Lab's Rally: Should You Buy the Stock Now?

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. RKLB has recently launched several successful missions, which involve deploying satellites to Earth orbit using its Electron space vehicle. Evidently, at the onset of June 2025, RKLB launched its 65th Electron rocket to deploy Earth-imaging satellites for real-time space-based intelligence company, BlackSky. In May, Rocket Lab launched the third mission for its Japanese customer, Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS). In March, the company deployed eight satellites for Germany-based global wildfire and detection company OroraTech. These missions, apart from showcasing Rocket Lab's increased launch cadence, also demonstrate the company's efficiency in conducting frequent, reliable and dedicated small orbital launches for satellite operators with 100% mission success. Such back-to-back launch missions must have been boosting investors' confidence in RKLB lately, as evident from its three-month price performance. Rocket Lab's shares have surged an impressive 66.2% in the past three months, outperforming the Zacks aerospace-defense industry's gain of 18%. It has also outpaced the broader Zacks Aerospace sector's rise of 21.8% as well as the S&P 500's gain of 7.5% in the same time frame. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research A similar stellar performance has been delivered by other defense stocks involved in the space industry, such as Lockheed Martin LMT and Intuitive Machines LUNR, over the past three months. Shares of LUNR surged 82%, while those of LMT rose 2.6%. According to a World Economic Forum report from April 2024, the space economy is projected to grow from $630 billion in 2023 to $1.8 trillion by 2035, driven by the increasing adoption of satellite and rocket-enabled technologies. This outlook strengthens the long-run growth prospects of stocks like RKLB, LUNR and LMT. Notably, Lockheed engages in the research, design and production of satellites and space transportation systems, while Intuitive Machines is a space exploration company involved in supplying space products and services to support sustained robotic and human exploration to the Moon, Mars and beyond. On the other hand, RKLB's Electron launch vehicle ranks as the second most frequently launched orbital rocket by U.S. companies. Looking ahead, the company is expected to continue its strong prowess in the space industry, with RKLB aiming to launch more than 20 Electron rockets in 2025. This, in turn, should bode well for Rocket Lab's operational results in the coming quarters. Let's take a sneak peek at its near-term estimates to check if that reflects a similar story. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RKLB's 2025 and 2026 sales suggests an improvement of 32.8% and 47.7%, respectively, year over year. A look at its 2025 and 2026 earnings estimates suggests a similar year-over-year improvement. However, its second-quarter 2025 earnings estimates suggest a year-over-year decline. The upward revision of its 2025 and 2026 estimates over the past 60 days indicates investors' increasing confidence in the stock's earnings generation capabilities. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research While Rocket Lab holds strong long-term growth potential, it faces several pressing challenges. One of the primary concerns is its high operating expenses, driven by continued investment in next-generation technologies such as the Neutron launch vehicle, spacecraft capabilities and a broader portfolio of components. These expenses often offset revenue gains, leading to losses, as evident from its recent quarterly reports. Another major risk is Rocket Lab's elevated debt levels, which currently surpass those of many industry peers (as illustrated by the long-term debt-to-capital ratio in the image below). The company invests aggressively in the design, manufacturing and commercialization of new space technologies. However, if product development timelines slip, the associated debt burden could significantly strain future financial performance. This risk is underscored by Rocket Lab's recent delay in its first Neutron rocket launch, from an initial 2024 target to mid-2025 at the earliest. Delays like this highlight execution risks that could further pressure the company's balance sheet. RKLB's Long-term Debt-to-Capital Image Source: Zacks Investment Research In terms of valuation, RKLB's forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) is 19.18X, a premium to its peer group's average of 4.50X. This suggests that investors will be paying a higher price than the company's expected sales growth compared to that of its industry. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Other space stocks, such as LUNR and LMT, are trading at a discount to RKLB in terms of their forward P/S ratio. LUNR and LMT have a forward sales multiple of 6.51X and 1.49X, respectively. To conclude, investors interested in Rocket Lab should wait for a better entry point, considering its premium valuation and high leverage. The stock holds a VGM score of F, which is also not a very favorable parameter for investing in a stock. However, those who already own this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock may continue to do so, considering its impressive performance at the bourses, upward revision in annual earnings estimates and year-over-year sales growth predicted by its near-term estimates. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Intuitive Machines, Inc. (LUNR) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

SpaceX rocket launch in Florida uses Falcon 9 booster that launched former NASA admin pick
SpaceX rocket launch in Florida uses Falcon 9 booster that launched former NASA admin pick

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

SpaceX rocket launch in Florida uses Falcon 9 booster that launched former NASA admin pick

The first of back-to-back SpaceX launches took off on time June 10, and the Falcon 9 booster supporting this launch was an interesting choice. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 9:05 a.m. carrying 23 Starlink internet satellites to orbit from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The first-stage booster that powered this mission was the same booster that launched the Polaris Dawn crew. The Polaris Dawn mission was commanded and funded by President Trump's former nominee for NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman. The Polaris Dawn mission, which also included two SpaceX employees, performed the first spacewalk by a private company and traveled the furthest into space since the Apollo moon missions. Isaacman was Trump's pick to serve as NASA administrator, but on May 31 Trump dropped Isaacman, saying he needed someone more aligned with this goals. A new choice for NASA administrator has yet to be announced. "After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space." The change came just days before a public feud erupted on X between Trump and SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk, who was close to Isaacman. On June 9, Isaacman posted the following to X in a discussion on what his plans would have been for NASA, which faces steep budget cuts in President Trump's proposal to Congress. "Spent the last few months assembling a pretty extensive plan—shaped by insights from a lot of smart, passionate people. No shortage of input — everyone loves NASA and wants to help. Maybe I will write an op-ed someday — but I didn't love being inundated with plans from people who thought they were uniquely NASA's savior — and I have little interest in doing the same," wrote Isaacman. "In short, I would have deleted the bureaucracy that impedes progress and robs resources from the mission (this is not unique to NASA it's a govt problem). I would flatten the hierarchy, rebuild the culture— centered on ownership, urgency, mission-focus alongside a risk recalibration. Then concentrate resources on the big needle movers NASA was meant to achieve," he wrote. When is the next Florida rocket launch? Live updates: 1st of back-to-back launch days to see SpaceX launch from Cape Canaveral Previous missions this Polaris Dawn booster flew include: NASA's Crew-8, CRS-31, Astranis: From One to Many, IM-2, and six other Starlink missions. Overall, it was the 12th flight of the booster. Just over eight minutes after liftoff, the booster landed on the Just Read the Instruction drone ship, which was stationed out on the Atlantic Ocean. Tuesday's launch was the first of what may be back-to-back SpaceX launch days. The launch of the Axiom Space Mission 4 (Ax-4) astronauts is set for no earlier than 8 a.m. on June 11 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center pad 39A. Originally set for June 10, the launch was postponed due to poor weather in the ascent corridor. Commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, the international crew of four astronauts will spend two weeks on the International Space Station. With the mission traveling to the space station, the mission must lift off on time or scrub for the day. The SpaceX booster from the Axiom mission will return to Cape Canaveral, creating an early morning Space Coast sonic boom. The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will provide live updates beginning two hours prior to launch at Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@ or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX rocket launch in Florida used booster that launched Isaacman

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store